Chem-less copper Ionizer

Postby **chem geek** » Mon 18 Jan, 2010 21:53

Do you two pool owners who recently posted have vinyl liner pools? What pH do you keep your pools? Copper is very effective at preventing and killing algae while silver is better at preventing uncontrolled bacterial growth (though is still far slower than chlorine for killing bacteria quickly). However, these metal ions can stain if their concentration gets too high and/or the pH gets too high. This staining is more of a problem with plaster pools, so that's why I ask.

Guest · Postby **Guest** » Tue 19 Jan, 2010 06:28

Do you two pool owners who recently posted have vinyl liner pools?

I have a tiled pool and keep the ph at around 7.2. I never had a stain even when the ph went sky high last year - it went over 8 while we were on vacation and the chlorine dropped to zero, but still no algae. :thumbup:

Cheers chem geek

prairiepool · Postby **prairiepool** » Wed 30 May, 2012 11:55

I also have a copper/silver ionizer. I wonder if anyone else has as much trouble as I do reading the darn copper test strips? On our strips the level goes from pink to light purple. Really? Pink to purple? Not much variation. Any tips on how to get an acurate reading?

drchemy · Postby **drchemy** » Mon 23 Jul, 2012 19:22

I don't understand why you need the ionizer. You can just as easily maintain the copper level in the pool generated with the ionizer (0.2 to 0.3 ppm) by adding a pint of copper based algacide every few months. I have one but I feel it was a waste of money.

poolog · Postby **poolog** » Sat 09 Jan, 2016 02:49

Its 3 1/2 years since the last post but I would be grateful for any advice on my copper ionised pool which develops a dark grey stain where the water surface meets the fibreglass.
I can remove it immediately with hydrochloric acid but it gradually returns within 2 - 3 days.
Both ascorbic acid or liquid chlorine have no effect .
The TA and PH always test low so I am adding acid for the stain and then have to add borax to raise the PH and bicarb soda to raise the TA.Then the stain comes back.Any ideas please?

Postby **Larry** » Sat 09 Jan, 2016 06:06

Welcome to the forums poolog

If the "stain" is grey it is probably not related to the ionizer. Is there any chance of a photograph?

Waterline discoloration is often due to oil, swimmer residue or scale. Can the stain be removed at all with a light abrasive (e.g. Scotch Brite)?

Increasing the pH and TA makes the water more prone to scaling. Do you know the calcium hardness or total hardness value for your pool?

Larry

poolog · Postby **poolog** » Sun 10 Jan, 2016 02:14

Hi Larry,
Thanks for the quick response.
I had assumed that it would be the ioniser as I had no problem when it was a salt pool.
It makes sense that it could be down to calcium as the hydrochloric acid removes it so quickly.
I will get it tested and get back to you with the results.
Thanks.